Frequently Requested By-laws
Please contact the Clerk's Office if the By-law you are looking for is not listed below.
Code of Use (Use of Regional Buildings, Properties and Services)
The Region of Waterloo regulates the use of Regional buildings, properties and services through the Code of Use By-law 13-050, as amended by 18-056 and by 23-041. This includes visitor conduct while accessing Regional buildings, properties or services such as GRT, Regional museums, and Regional headquarters.
Consolidation of By-law 13-050: The Office Consolidation Version for Reference Only of the Region’s Code of Use By-law No. 13-050 as amended by By-law Nos. 18-056 and 23-041. If there are any discrepancies between this consolidation and Bylaws 13-050, 18-056, and 23-41, the By-laws shall prevail.
Carrying Out Inspection
Development Charges
By-law 19-037, to establish development charges for the Region.
E-Scooters
Effective July 1, 2022, e-scooters are permitted on:
- All Regional Roads 50 km/hr or less
- All Regional Roads with bike lanes, regardless of speed limit
- On all boulevard multi-use paths adjacent Regional Roads
- E.g., paved trails next to roads like Homer Watson Blvd.
Helmets are mandatory for all e-scooter riders, regardless of age.
Visit the e-scooter project page for information about the local municipalities’ e-scooter permissions for local municipal roads and to learn more about this joint initiative.
Fees and Charges
License Fees and Charges
By-law 16-045, to establish license fees and charges.
Lobbyist Registry
By-law 24-043, to Establish and Maintain a Lobbyist Registry
Outdoor Water Use
By-law 07-069, Respecting the Conservation of Water
Answers to questions you may have, including requesting a permit for sod and seed watering or nematode applications, can be found on our Conserving Water page.
Procedural By-Law
By-law 26-017, to govern the proceedings of Council and its Committees.
Purchasing By-Law
By-law 16-032, to provide for procurement of good and services and the disposal of surplus goods.
Retail Business Holidays Act
Retail Business Holidays Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. R.30
The Retail Business Holidays Act, says retail businesses in Ontario must be closed on the included holidays each year.
Establishments in the CI Core Zoning in St. Jacobs
By-law 36-92, to permit retail business establishments in the CI Core Zoning in St. Jacobs to remain open on holidays as defined in the Retail Business Act.
St. Jacobs Farmers' Market and Flea Market and St. Jacobs Factory Outlet
By-law 94-028, to permit the retail businesses in St. Jacobs as listed above to remain open on holidays as defined in the Retail Business Act.
Sewer Use
By-law 21-036, to govern and regulate the discharge of water and wastewater into the sanitary and storm systems in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.
This by-law took effect Jan. 1, 2022 and replaced the previous Sewer Use By-law 1-90 and its amendments. You can use this online form to apply for a permit under Sewer Use By-Law 21-036.
Signs
The sign by-law was amended by By-law 21-064, A By-law to Amend By-law 10-030, A By-law Respecting Signs on Regional Roads to prohibit the placing of election signs on Regional Roads.
The sign by-law ensures our communities remain safe by preventing sign distraction and keeps our communities looking great. Please contact your local municipality for information regarding sign placement on local municipal roads.
Traffic and Parking
The Region of Waterloo regulates parking, vehicle flow and speed limits on all Regional roads. By-law 16-023, outlines specific parking and moving violations within the Region. Enforcement of this by-law is the responsibility of the local municipalities and Waterloo Regional Police. For parking complaints please contact your local municipality.
Consolidation of By-law 16-023: The Office Consolidation Version for Reference Only of the Region’s Traffic and Parking By-law 16-023, as amended. If there are any discrepancies between the consolidation and the amending by-laws, the By-laws shall prevail.
Please contact regionalclerk@regionofwaterloo.ca to obtain a copy of the by-law schedules.
Waste Collection
The Region of Waterloo regulates all waste collection and landfill operations within the municipality. By-law 17-007 outlines requirements for proper waste collection including recyclables such as blue box and green bin. It also regulates the use of the Region's landfill. Sustainable waste collection and environmental protection keep the Region looking its best for future generations.
Consolidation of By-law 17-007: The Office Consolidation Version for Reference Only of the Region’s Waste Collection By-law 17-007, as amended by By-law 23-015. If there are any discrepancies between this consolidation and by-laws 17-007 and 23-015, the By-laws shall prevail.
